YOUTH SOCCER

November 15, 2012
CANCELED
LIJSL cancels rest of fall season due to Sandy

The Long Island Junior Soccer League has canceled the final three weeks of its fall Season due to Hurricane Sandy because not every team would be able to play because of lost fields. The shortened season also will give soccer families in the affected areas extra time to rebuild their homes and their lives.

In coordination with Long Island Cares, the LIJSL held a food drive at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview, N.Y. last weekend and the LIJSL office in Ronkonkoma. A total of 2,000 lbs. of food and numerous boxes of personal care and home-cleaning items were donated by soccer families.

“The Long Island Junior Soccer League is proud to help Long Islanders in the recovery effort in any way we can,” LIJSL president Addie Mattei-Iaia said. “The generosity shown by our members across the island has been heart-warming, and our recent food drive is a great example of that.

“Our league office and board of directors will continue to work together with our member clubs to find the most effective ways to aid those in need. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been adversely affected by these recent storms."

The East Islip Soccer Club will host an impromptu soccer tournament on Saturday and Sunday, named Soccer vs. Sandy. The club released the following statement:

"With the devastation and toll that Hurricane Sandy has left behind, many leagues have decided to cancel the rest of their season. We agree with the decision entirely but also understand there are many who may want to play and also get involved in a relief effort to help those most affected. With that in mind, we have decided to put together a mini-tournament to allow our kids to get a closing to the soccer season and help out in the relief effort as well."

An many as 64 youth intramural and travel teams will play at Westbrook Fields and Country Village Fields. All proceeds will go toward Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with the East Islip Soccer Club matching proceeds up to $5,000. The club is also interested in corporate or small business sponsors helping out as well.

“We’re looking to have a friendly match between the East Islip and West Islip Soccer Club Board of Directors this Sunday. The West Islip Soccer Club has offered tons of support for this effort by way of teams, volunteers and even fields should we need to use them,” tournament director Jesse Maldonado said.